The Art of (Re) Connection
Extending the lifetime of bags
[ critical and editorial design]
In a layered and multidisciplinary endeavor, The Art of (Re)Connection meticulously merges sustainability, art, and the beauty of small acts of humanity. Through a thoughtful blend of sustainable design practices, local photography, and artistic expression, MUJI's paper bags are revitalized, transformed into canvases of meaningful connection.
The resulting editorial piece stands as a testament to the brand's ethos, seamlessly merging form and function with a profound message to reconnect through mindfulness and meaningful interactions. At its core, this project embodies MUJI's holistic philosophy, reflecting on the beauty of simplicity and emphasizing the importance of reconnection in a fast-paced world.
With a visual language that is easily recognizable, MUJI is characterized by simplicity and minimalism. While offering a wide variety of products, the brand consistently adheres to design principles that allow items to seamlessly blend into their environment, both functional and unobtrusive. Every detail is carefully considered to ensure that no unnecessary elements are present, resulting in tasteful products that are practical in any context. MUJI’s clothing line follows sustainable production practices, using eco-friendly materials like organic cotton, traceable linen, and non-mulesed wool, while also minimizing waste by sorting and reusing leftover fabrics. By incorporating textile scraps into our project, we align with MUJI’s commitment to sustainability, bringing together key elements of the brand’s ethos.
Finding MUJI’s voice
The project originated from observing a fast-paced world where technology and the rush of modern life have diminished our connections, with each other and our planet. We no longer afford ourselves the time to truly appreciate our essence and surroundings. Often, we overlook the significance of these connections forged through interactions, cultural exchanges, and the devotion to small gestures that embody our humanity. Rediscovering these connections is vital for inviting connection among ourselves and with our home, planet earth.
Our approach is based on art that (re)connects us as humans with each other, with ourselves and with the earth through sustainable materials and our consideration towards the importance of returning elements to the production cycle. Our initiative pretends to remind us of everything that connects us as humans:
Interaction
Culture
Acts of humanity
Small actions
We have come to the realisation that in this context we can use art as a means and an end simultaneously to both recover these connections, and eliminate the shame around being sustainable altogether.
Our concept
Capturing life
The intention of this project is to capture everyday moments that highlight our connections to others, nature, and ourselves. By creating a visual archive of meaningful, often overlooked moments in captured by local photographers, we aim to evoke a personal connection with our customers, inviting them to reflect on humanity and their own moments of connection. The intention of the photographs is to evoke emotional engagement, beauty, and nostalgia, allowing customers to see themselves in the images while supporting local talent.
Key elements from each photograph will be transformed into illustrations and stamped onto a patchwork canvas, which will become the inner lining of a bag.
Upon receiving the bag, customers can reveal the hidden artwork, giving new life to packaging and offering a creative piece to integrate into their spaces. To create the base for the artwork, we will reuse fabric scraps left over from MUJI's clothing production. These scraps, sorted by light color tones, will be cut into squares and sewn together in a collage-like manner to cover the inside of the bag. An appropriate ink color, chosen based on the tone of the fabric, will be used to transfer an illustration derived from the photographic catalogue.
Through this, we aim to build a positive connection between MUJI and its customers, giving new meaning to what would otherwise be disposable packaging.
